Hopple



linrrnn Snares Parent OFFICE.

\VILLIAM H. CRITIENDEJ, OF RUGGLES, OI-IIO.

HOPPLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 3%2,33 i, dated May 25, 1886.

Application filed February 1S, 1886.

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. Carm na DEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ituggles, in the county of Ashland, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in I-Iopples, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to that class of hopples commonly known as cow-tail holders, and the object of the invention is to provide a cheap, simple device that may be manipir lated with one hand, and which is adapted to be clamped around the hock and the tail of a cow to prevent the tail of the animal from striking the person in the face when milking her; and the invention consists in certain features of construction hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figurel is a plan view of a hopple constructed in accordance with my invention. Fi g. 2 represents the hind quarter of a cow with my hopple in position. Fig. 3 is an end elevation illustrating the de vice used to lock the hopple in position.

Like letters indicate like parts in all the ligures of the drawings.

The device consists, principally, oftwo jaws, A A, of irregular form, which are pivoted, as at B, to each other by means of a pivot, B. The jaws A cross each other, and are extended back of their pivot to form operating-levers having loops or fingerguards 0. Forward of the pivot 13 the jaws are in shape adapted to conform to the shape of the hock of a cow, they diverging, and then converging, forming the space A. Forward of this space A the jaws meet and again diverge, each in a semi circle, forming, when closed, a loop or circle, E, adapted to clasp the tail of a cow.

The operation of the device will be readily apparent, it being only necessary in order to clampthe same around the tail and hock of a cow to open it with the fingers, pass it around the leg of the cow, and insert the tail in the proper place, and then spring the jaws together somewhat after the manner of using a pair of shears, and as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

For the purpose of securing the jaws firmly in a locked position and preventing their opening, Iliave formed at the extreme end of each of the jaws a lug, F, upon one of which I Serial No. 192,336. (No model.)

mount a spring-catch, F, which is adapted, in this instance by an inclined lug, F (when the jaws are brought together) to slide over the opposite lug 1* and take into a notch or depression therein.

As the cows tail is almost continually in motion, it might be possible that the tail would be withdrawn from the clamp, and to avoid this I have provided upon the inner surface of the jaws A, at that portion Ethereof adapted to clasp the tail, a series of depending inwardly-extending spurs or studs, E. It will thus be seen that by reason of the spurs becoming entangled in the hair of the tail the same cannot be withdrawn. I do not consider these spurs essential, however, to a successful operation of my invention, and I may do away with them entirely.

To remove the device, it is simply necessary to detach the spring-catch from the lug F by pushing its free end from its position on the lug and force the levers apart.

From the above description it will be seen that I provide a simple, effective device that may be easily and cheaply manufactured and that may be manipulated with one hand.

Having thus fully described my invention and its operation, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A hopple of the class described, comprising two jaws pivoted to each other and provided back of their pivot with operating-levers and forwardly extended to form embracing portions for the hook and tail of a cow, the ends of said jaws being provided with a springclasp, substantially as specified.

The two jaws A, pivoted at B, and provided with the loops 0, the hock-embracing portion A, the tail-embracing portion E, and the clasp F, substantially as specified.

3. The jaws A, formed with the loops (7, and pivoted at B", and extended to form the hockembracing portion A and the tail-embracing portion 15, said portion being provided with a series of studs or spurs, E, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM H. 'GRITTENDEN.

\Vitnesses:

RoLLIN O. Pownns, Dwrenr R. Sacnnrrr. 

